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Princess Hanako of Hitachi joins public to pull the 400-ton keep of Hirosaki Castle back to its original position

Princess Hanako of Hitachi attended a ceremony in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, to mark the beginning of a project moving the 400-ton keep of Hirosaki Castle back to its original location. The historic structure was moved 11 years ago to allow for repairs to its supporting stone walls. To return the keep to its base, officials utilized the hikiya technique, which involves moving a building on rollers rather than dismantling it. Approximately 4,000 people were selected by lottery to participate in a community-driven effort to pull the keep along rails using ropes. During the first weekend of the event, roughly 1,800 people participated, moving the structure several inches at a time. The keep is a nationally designated important cultural property and the only feudal-era castle tower remaining in northeastern Japan. While the public will continue to pull the structure through August, machinery will be used to complete the remaining distance by the end of the year. The castle is expected to reopen to visitors in 2033.

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